Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Preheat and prepare

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Position oven racks so there's room for air circulation; using two sheets helps avoid overcrowding.

Cut the sweet potatoes

Scrub and dry 3 medium sweet potatoes. Trim the ends. Cut each potato into 1/4–1/2-inch thick matchsticks: first slice into 1/4–1/2-inch slabs, then stack and cut into sticks. Aim for uniform size to ensure even cooking. You should have roughly 3 cups of sticks.

Coat with cornstarch and oil

Place the cut fries in a large bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cornstarch over them and toss to coat evenly — cornstarch helps create a crisper exterior. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the fries and toss until every piece is lightly and evenly coated.

Season

Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the bowl. Toss thoroughly so the spices distribute evenly over the fries.

Arrange on baking sheets

Spread the fries in a single layer across the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between pieces. Avoid stacking; overcrowding causes steaming instead of crisping. If necessary, use both sheets and rotate during baking.

Bake and crisp

Bake for 12 minutes at 220°C (425°F). After 12 minutes, remove the sheets, flip each fry with a spatula or tongs to promote even browning, rotate the pans between racks, and return to the oven. Bake an additional 8–12 minutes until edges are browned and fries are crisp to your liking. Total bake time will be about 20–24 minutes depending on thickness and oven.

Optional broil for extra crispiness

If you want extra crisp edges, switch oven to broil for 1–2 minutes — watch closely to avoid burning.

Finish and serve

Remove fries from oven and immediately season with a small pinch extra salt if desired. Sprinkle optional chopped parsley (2 tablespoons) and serve with lime wedges if using. Let cool for 2–3 minutes so they firm up slightly before serving.

Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon lime juice, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning — add more hot sauce for heat or honey for sweetness. Refrigerate until serving.